As a soil biophysicist, my research focuses on understanding how soil physical properties regulate interactions between plants, microorganisms, and the environment. The central theme of my work is to uncover the biophysical mechanisms that sustain soil health, influence plant resilience, and shape ecosystem functions. I am particularly interested in how soil structure, water dynamics, and nutrient transport interact with biological processes to enhance soil functionality under environmental stressors such as drought, compaction, and contamination.

By investigating the feedback loops between soil physics and biological activity, my research aims to develop scientifically grounded strategies that optimize resource use, restore degraded soils, and support climate-adaptive agriculture. I integrate advanced imaging techniques, mechanistic modeling, and experimental methods to gain insights into small-scale rhizosphere dynamics and their impact on large-scale soil functionality and ecosystem services.

Current Research Areas

1. Soil-Plant Hydraulics & Rhizosphere Biophysics

   • Investigating root water uptake strategies and hydraulic adaptations under drying and compacted soils.

   • Exploring the role of mucilage and microbial biofilms in modifying soil hydraulic properties to improve plant water access.

   • Linking root traits, soil structure, and plant hydraulic regulation to enhance crop resilience under climate stress.

2. Soil Health & Sustainable Land Management

   • Quantifying how soil amendments (biochar, compost, cover crops) influence soil structure, water retention, and nutrient cycling.

   • Developing soil management strategies to mitigate degradation, enhance carbon sequestration, and sustain long-term soil productivity.

   • Understanding how soil physical changes influence microclimate regulation, impacting plant productivity and ecosystem resilience.

3. Plant-Microbe Interactions in the Rhizosphere

   • Investigating how root exudates and mycorrhizal fungi influence soil structure, microbial activity, and nutrient mobilization.

   • Exploring the biophysical and biochemical adaptations of plants and microbes under nutrient limitations and water stress.

4. Digital twin approach for the soil-plant-atmosphere continuum

   • Utilizing neutron radiography, X-ray CT, and numerical simulations to visualize and model water and nutrient transport in soil-root systems.

   • Developing mechanistic models to predict soil health evolution under different management and climate change scenarios.

   • Linking precision agriculture tools with biophysical insights to optimize resource efficiency in agroecosystems.

Future Research Vision

Looking ahead, my research will continue to focus on leveraging biophysical innovations to enhance soil resilience and ecosystem sustainability. Some key directions include:

• Developing nature-based solutions for soil restoration, focusing on how plant and microbial strategies can regenerate degraded soils.

• Bridging soil physics with ecological and agronomic perspectives, fostering interdisciplinary collaborations to design climate-smart agricultural systems.

• Expanding the application of advanced soil imaging techniques to capture dynamic soil processes at unprecedented spatial and temporal scales.

• Translating fundamental insights into practical strategies that benefit both scientific advancement and real-world applications in agriculture and forestry.

Integration with Teaching

My teaching philosophy is strongly aligned with my research: I aim to engage students in problem-solving, connect theory to real-world applications, and inspire interdisciplinary thinking. In my courses, I integrate:

• Hands-on experimental training in soil biophysics, soil-plant interactions, and hydrology.

• Case studies on sustainable soil management and ecosystem services.

• Encouragement of critical thinking through active discussions on current challenges in soil science and climate adaptation.

• 2022 -present: Assistant professor, Soil Biophysics and Environmental systems, Technical University of Munich, Germany

• 2017-2022: Academic lecturer (Akademischer Rat),the Chair of Soil Physics, University of Bayreuth, Germany.

• 2013-2017: Post doctoral researcher, Division of Soil Hydrology, Georg August University of Goettingen, Germany.

• 2011-2013: Doctoral student, Division of Soil Hydrology, Georg August University of Goettingen, Germany.

• 2010-2011: Guest researcher,Department of Soil Physics, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ, Germany.

• 2010-2013: Ph.D in Soil and Plant Hydrology, Division of Soil Hydrology, Georg August University of Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany. Thesis: "Quantitative imaging of water flow in soil and roots using neutron radiography and deuterated water".

• 2006–2009: M.S. in Soil Physics, Department of Soil Science, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan, Iran. Thesis: "Effect of temporal variability of soil hydraulic properties on water and solute transport modelling".

• 2002–2006: B.S. in Soil Science, Department of Soil Science, Vali-e- Asr University, Rafsanjan, Iran

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